Make a Tool Roll in 10 Minutes

Today I want to share a really quick make, for you to store your paint brushes, pencils, knitting or crochet needles and more. 

So, I had been promising to make myself a Roll for my Artist Paint Brushes for quite some time now, but never had much time, to add seams and binding, so I put it off. My perfectionism always got the better of me, so I just didn't make one.

This is where Felt came in.  I had some wool felt in stock and as felt does not frey, it is the perfect fabric for this project.

So, gather the pens, brushes, or needles that you want to make a roll for and follow along.

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Measure your longest tool.  Add approximately 10 cm, then lay out your tools side by side with a little space between each one and measure the width, plus 2cm.  This establishes the size of the back piece of your roll.  Draw it out on your felt and cut.
Mine measured 31 x 36 cm
*
Next, cut out another piece of felt the same width, by approximately half the height of your back piece.
Mine measured 15 x 36 cm.
*
Take a ruler and a water soluble pen, and draw vertical lines on the smaller front piece.  Make them wide enough so your tool will slot in once stitched.
For my brushes, they varied from  5cm, to 2.5cm, to 1.5cm.
*
Pin the front piece to the bottom (long edge to long edge) of the back piece.  Cut a piece of ribbon, or twine, whatever you have to hand measuring approximately 80cm in length.  Fold it in half and slot the folded edge sandwiched between your 2 pieces of felt and pin. (I placed mine in the right hand side)
*
Next, back stitch over the ribbon and sew around the perimeter of the whole piece and back stitch again at the ribbon.
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Now Stitch your vertical lines from the top long edge of the top (smaller) piece of felt, back stitch and using straight stitch, sew to the bottom of your roll.  Back stitch again.  Repeat for every vertical line. Both pieces should now be stitched together with little slots, big enough for each tool you wish to store in it.

Lastly, fold down a flap, approximately 8cm from the top edge and press the fold in place with an iron.
*
Remove the water soluble pen with water, and once dry, pop in your brushes, pens or needles, roll up and tie the ribbon.

Voila!  Your quick project is done.

If you use this tutorial to create your own Tool Roll please tag me on Instagram @michellecorbindesign and use the Hashtag #michellemademestitch



Have a lovely day, and Happy Stitching



Michelle xxx



instagram.com/michellecorbindesign

Keepsake Bunnies

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Creating Keepsake Bunnies, is something I enjoy doing very much.  I love the whole process from start to finish.

Sisterly Love
Both hold special memories

 Being ask to create something from some outfits and blankets, that hold special memories in the owners heart, is always an honour, and to be trusted with these special garments was just that.

A Flower Girl Dress worn by big sister to mums wedding
A dress big sister bought for little sister
Little sisters Baby Blanket

See how these Little Bunny Keepakes Began

The Process:

A sketch and a plan for layout and design

Next comes the details.  Carefully unpicking the details from the garments, placing and cutting the pattern, then adding the embroidery and appliqué.

Keepsake Bunnies are then born

Nicole's was predominantly made from her beloved Baby Blanket
Details were picked out and appliquéd to the body and ears
A little part of the dress big sister bought her, was used on the ears
Hand embroidered details were added for those finishing touches

True memories wrapped up in a Button Jointed Bunny xx 

Chloe's was created, using her Flower Girl Dress form the '90s
Picking out the details, so it still looked like the dress.
Lace overlay some of the fabric for more interest.
Parts of the dress she bought for her little sister was added for interest, details and of course memories.
A little part of Nicole's blanket was added for the ears, as a special touch.

True memories wrapped up in on Original Keepsake Bunny xx



See how I create another Original Keepsake Bunny here

From every cut and stitch, each one is carefully tailored to suit the client's needs. 

Michelle Corbin Design - Find me on Facebook
Maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsakes to Soft Furnishings

Thank You for reading
Happy Stitching
Michelle xx

*Little Bunny Keepsakes, are 'sit on the shelf' items and are not suitable as toys, due to the fabric and small parts used.  They should not be left with a child under the age of 14.  They are a Collectable, potential Heirloom, which should bring lots of your love and memories to life*

A Tour of my sewing room

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

 

I spend a lot of time in this room, and getting it to how I want, is still 'work in progress', but here it is so far:

Firstly, I share the space with the 'white goods' of the house, a Fridge Freezer, Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer and a Dish Washer, so space is limited, so Mr C built a work top above the said White Goods for me to initially use as storage.

The rest of the room, consisted of a 'make shift' desk, which was a little wobbly and very easy to clutter up.  There wasn't much room really for sewing, but I managed for a few years.  I also had an old Dining Table, which I covered with batting and lining, to use as a cutting table, but also as a safe place to iron.

It served it's purpose, but easily got messy and cluttered, so I found myself constantly reconfiguring the furniture, in hope that it would improve my working space, and as money was scarce I sadly couldn't afford a new desk, nor could I find one suitable for the space I had.  So I discussed at length at numerous times, options I could take with Mr C, and finally we hatched a plan to make my own bespoke table.  

I eventually managed to save enough to buy a large sheet of MDF and components, and between Mr C and I we designed the shape of my new desk.

Mr C had a little help from Little Mr C and between them the worked hard to construct the table.  Mr C even knocked up a damn fine Sewing Machine Extension Table, much to my total happiness (can you imagine the Happy Dance I did lol?

The construction of the table took place just after New Year, before work and school was back in flow.  Sadly there was no time to paint it before I had to begin orders again, but then I manage to find a couple of weekends before Easter to finally set to and paint it, and I managed to reorganise it so that the work top above the 'White Goods' became my new ironing and cutting area - and I love it :) xx

So there you are, my finished 'happy place' fully constructed - of course it isn't finished just yet, as the walls need a lick of paint, but I just can't decide what colour - if you have a suggestion, please comment below.

Oh, and here is a lovely selection of hand-made items have on display in my room from Armadio Amore, Linen and Fred and My Happy Place.  Pop over and see what else they make, they are totally amazing.

And if you'd like to share your lovely crafting space with me please send me a photo at michelle@michellecorbindesign.co.uk 

Many thanks for popping by, I hope you enjoyed your little tour and don't forget to check out what I make at

 Michelle Corbin Design

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

Creating a Keepsake Bunny

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

Creating a Keepsake Item, takes care and precision to create something to enable you to treasure those special memories.

Here I am going to break down the process a little, to help you get a better understanding of what exactly goes into making such a special item.

Firstly, the outfits, dresses, trousers or baby gro's are sent, and are laid out for inspiration, which is followed by a sketch of the design.

Each item is then carefully unpicked, trimmed and prepared for the next stage.  Legs, arms, head ears body and tail are all carefully cut out, ready for construction.

Once the arms and legs are stitched, they are then stuffed - To stuff one leg, it takes 20mins!!

They are then stitched onto the body, once the head and ears have been attached.  This process, is quite tricky, and can take a while to get everything precise.

The head is then stuffed and the detailed face is embroidered, adding character and life to the Bunny.

Next it's the body's turn to be stuffed and hand stitched to close.  This is then followed by adding the tail and the finishing special touches.

A beautiful Bunny has now been born.  

Altogether, they take anything from 8 - 12 hours to fully complete, depending on the outfit combinations sent and the details and specifications required.

I think you will agree though, that all of the effort is very much worth it.

For this particular Commission, a Keepsake Journal and Tooth Fairy Cushion were also created to match.  Now Grace has a full collection of Keepsakes, that she can treasure for many years to come, and share her memories with her mum and family.

Little Bunny Keepsake

I hope you like her - the perfect Keepsake

See what else I make at mchellecorbindesign.co.uk


Happy Stitching

Michelle x

A Keepsake Competition

Do you have a budding Picasso?  Are they aged between 2 and 8?

Yes?

Then would you like to WIN a Keepsake Canvas, created from your child's drawing?

Ask your child to draw a Simple Picture of Him/Herself and their siblings (if any), onto plain A5 paper.

* If your child has no siblings, parents or flowers may be used to substitute *

Scan the drawing and Email it to me at michelle@michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Please ensure your child's name and age is included in your email, along with your name and contact details

Permission to use the drawing on my Facebook Page will be required, however yours and your child's name will not appear during voting. 

The canvas will be 20 x 20 cm and will be Appliquéd and Hand Embroidered, copying the details that your child has captured.  

I will then post each photo onto my Facebook Page, where I will ask my followers to vote for their favourite drawing. 

The competition will run through until 3rd April 2015 (Good Friday) and I will announce the winner on Monday 6th April.

This competition, is only open to UK residence

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading and Good Luck

Happy Drawing

Michelle xx

Click here to see the Competition Entries over on my Facebook page

Lets talk Curtains

So you have just decorated a room in your house, you have got the paint and wall paper all done - you are pleased.  Now it's time to dress the room.  You measure your window and take a colour swatch of paint and a piece of your wallpaper to a well known store and try to match up curtains  You have something in mind, but can't quite find the exact match or size, so in the end you make do with one choice, and take the pre-made, pre-packaged curtains home, and put them up.  You are happy-ish.  But the colour just isn't quite right now you have got them home in your lighting, and they hang in a slight 'triangular shape'.  May be they don't fit so well?  Oh well, they'll do for now!

Does this sound familiar?

Made to Measure Eyelette Curtains

So, lets talk it through.  Shop bought v Made to Measure 

Lets start with shop bought:  

• Made using standard measurements, which suit some windows, but not all.
• A design team, choose fabrics and send off to the manufacturers, mostly overseas
• Lots of machinists are given the fabric and sizes and they run these up on the machines.  Working fast to ensure they meet their target load
• Once they have been checked, they are packaged and sent to the stores for you to buy, at a reasonable price, but chances are they may not fit!!
• You buy what you see

Now to an independent designer/maker:

•  You phone or email the designer/maker and a short consultation is taken, and an appointment arranged, for a home consultation 
• Designer/maker arrives at the appointment with ladders, tape measure, consultation pad and colour swatches.  Also designs of previous work.
• Measurements are taken in detail and photo's of the window 
• He/she discusses in detail, what your requirements are, advises on the best style, fabrics, linings and heading to suit your window.
• Fabrics are held up against your decor to find the most suitable, for your lighting and living needs.
• Details of your order is then taken and on return to the workroom, designs and a quote is put together.  
• Proposed designs and quote are then shown to you and discussed.
• Once you approve, a deposit is made and the fabrics and components are ordered in.

• Designer/maker, then begins to cut fabric and, measure the hems and seams, pinning and pressing as he/she goes, with reference to the accurate measurements, ensuring the curtains, are made to measure.
• Hems are hand stitched to precision, with penny weights added.
• Linings are placed onto the main fabric and pinned.  Then the sides are hand stitched carefully.
• The carefully placed hand stitching and weights, ensure the fabrics hangs beautifully once in position
• Each step is pressed carefully and headings are added to suit the design 
• Once the curtains are made up, a follow up appointment is made to deliver the curtains.
• On delivery, the designer/maker, then hangs the curtains to ensure the correct fit.
• Curtains are then dressed with ties and left for a day or so, which ensures that the curtains hang with beautiful pleats, once the ties are taken away.
• Payment is then made.

Now of course, it's up to you which direction you go.  Which service you prefer, but as a 'throw away society', I say it's time to re-educate.

Shop bought curtains, can quite often just be thrown in the bin, or passed on to charity - where in some cases, they really cannot be sold again, as they have lost shape, and don't hang straight.

Having had some curtains specifically made for you, we are most probably more likely to hang onto them, and when it is time to redecorate, we use the curtains as a starting point.

Decent fabric alone is not always cheap and the workmanship and man hours spent on creating beautifully handmade curtains, really isn't recognised and appreciated enough.  

We often wonder, why handmade curtains hold such a big price tag, well I hope that I have helped you now to understand why.  Designer/makers, are highly trained and qualified in their profession,  and their skill and art form should to be appreciated more so.

On reflection, buying handmade, means buying something personal and unique for you, which should last you for years to come, therefore, resulting in better value for money - long term.

Please visit my Facebook page to see some of my handmade items

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx